Happy New Year!

[the_tailor]

♥ Who: Open to all!
♥ Where: One of Havenwell's parks
♥ When: New Year's Eve
♥ What: A small celebration to bring in the new year!
♥ Rating: PG? PG-13 at max depending on how heavy those midnight kisses get~



With December comes the finale of another year in Havenwell. For some, this'll be their first turn of the year here--others, the second. While last year's went by with little public fanfare, Lance had decided that for this one, he'd put together a little shindig. And after reaching out to several people, including many of the natives (who seemed excited at the idea), and some hard work... He's managed something. A celebratory party in one of the larger of the city's parks.

It's not huge, as it was rather last minute, but neither is it just a bowl of punch and music playing from a tinny phone speaker. Simple but colorful lights are strung up from lamplights, lending a soft glow to the area in question. A large table holds various drinks and foods, some bought from Lup's, and others brought by partygoers potluck style. Any further entertainment can be brought as well.

While it's not so much a party as a get together, for the time Lance had to put it together, it's enough.

(And once everyone counts down to midnight and the clock strikes? Well, be prepared for a small firework show!)

Come one, come all, and enjoy yourselves. The weather is on the colder side with some snow flurries on and off, so you'll definitely want to stay close and maybe even cuddle to stay warm. Maybe even warmer, if you have someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight...



[ooc: Last minute but backtagging is obviously fine! If there's anything specific that your character might have brought or set up and want me to edit it in as a mention, just DM on Discord at Relika#7801 or relika!]

Comments

[whenyouneedme]

[He snorted softly at the idea of her being a troublemaker-- though actually yeah he could see that interpretation with some of the antics she got up to.

But. She'd seen how things could go when he stuck up for someone.]

Mmhm. S'true though. I've never really had anyone in my corner before, it's kinda neat.

[daikonrose]

... Then, even if I'm pretty lackluster when it comes down to it, I'll make sure I hold onto my spot.

[ She said it lightly, before striding up the temple steps ahead of him. ]

--Aah, let's see who's awake for midnight snacks!

[whenyouneedme]

[Kai followed her with a quiet 'hmm', glancing around the place. It was as quiet as it was last year, even with the sporadic spark of color still dotting the sky. That familiar winter energy was there though, expecting.]

Say it loud enough and I'm sure at least one'll stop playing hide 'n seek.

[daikonrose]

[ Kyoko nodded, already heading in further as she called out gently. ]

Hello hello~! There are delicious snaaacks here for good chiiildren~! Limited time only!

[whenyouneedme]

[And here was more following as Kai nodded along, listening to the quiet around them. Here and there he thought he could hear the slight scritches and scratches of claws and scales. Perhaps that was a gleam of rainbow glinting beyond the candle light.]

It's true~ It's the last batch of year, don't wanna miss out.

[daikonrose]

Treats are first come first serve, while supplies last! Call n--oh!

[ Kyoko had been turning around in a slow circle to call out her pitch, and when Kaito came back into view she stopped, bringing a hand to her mouth, eyes widening with delight. Just behind him, a Friend had appeared, rising up onto its back legs, gaze trained expectantly on his pocket. ]

[whenyouneedme]

[The pros and cons of habits was that everyone knew which one was The Pocket.

It only took a glance at Kyoko to get the gist of what was waiting behind him. He let out a soft puff of amusement, fishing the pouch out of its absolutely correct location.]

Seems like we've got a winner. Your turn, Kyoko.

[Grinning, Kai gave the pouch a little jostle and underhanded it her way.]

[daikonrose]

Ah--!

[ Fumbling a little to grab the pouch, Kyoko quickly fished out a bit of jerky. As she doled it out, the soft skitters of Approaching Lizard increased around them. ]

You have to give them some too! You're their cool uncle, don't just hand off your responsibilities.

[whenyouneedme]

Pff, sure. Just makin' sure you get your offers in.

[He watched as more nieces and nephews slid through the shadows of the hall. Honestly, it was pretty amazing. To think he used to have to spend hours coaxing them out-- snack time really was something. Amused, Kai shuffled himself close next to Kyoko and held out his palm.]

Here, just gimme a few. I don't really have a date with Rawna tonight.

[daikonrose]

A "date"....

[ There was a tiny snort from Kyoko as she shook a generous pile of jerky into Kaito's hands--perhaps a bit more than he'd meant by "a few" but this is your fate now son. ]

It's not like I have one with him either. There are just a few things I need to say to him. No need to stay a long time.

[whenyouneedme]

[Kai hummed in response, plucking up a few pieces. Having things to say to Rawna of anyone had its own set of implications, but it wasn't actually Kai's business.]

Mm, gotcha.

[He scooted a step over to crouch down, getting to earning that important cool uncle title with a few little tosses of meat towards eager friends.]

... You guys really are getting pretty big, huh? Growin' up real fast.

[daikonrose]

[ Kyoko laid out a few pieces of jerky for the fledglings that hadn't made it to the front of the line to Uncle Kaito yet, watching them for a moment with a small smile. That curve to her mouth lingered as she cast a glance over to the boy, until her teeth tugged at her lip, and she turned away again.

Quiet steps took her up to the altar. And there she stood, in the same place Kaito had taken her on her first day, in more or less the same position--hands clasped tightly over her chest, head bowed. But there was no yelling this time.

Take it away. She mouthed the words, letting out barely a whisper into the cold night air. Take it away. Rawna was the god of logic and apathy, the one you came to when you needed to be set straight, free of your pain, of your worst thoughts.

Take it away. This trouble brewing in her chest, threatening to bubble up out of control if she couldn't kill the fire beneath it. Take it away, before I make a mess, before it hurts. ]

[whenyouneedme]

[One by one the dragons got their treats. One by one they slithered back away into the night, full of treats and wishes.

Somewhere between the treats Kai had noticed that Kyoko had stepped away to do whatever she had come here to do. Ah, she'd fooled him completely. 'She got me,' he whispered to a dragon's tail as it slipped out of sight. He didn't mind, not at all. The grief she weathered wasn't one Kai could do much for. He was already trying to do everything he could, for however much that was worth.

It seemed really obvious to him that in every way this was a take two of that first visit. A plea to go home was just the natural assumption here. He watched her for a few moments, knowing that it'd be simple enough to ask Rawna for the same thing. Let her go. Let her get her happiness back.

His heart felt heavy knowing he couldn't do it. He knew he couldn't. Rawna would know he couldn't.

Eventually Kai got up, wandering quietly through the hall. It was just far enough away to give her some privacy, staying just within where she'd still find him at a glance when she wanted him. Out of a different pocket he fished out his own 'treat,' placing the white candy stick between his lips. There wasn't a hit, but the old familiar motions were enough to do the trick.]

[daikonrose]

[ True to her word, Kyoko didn't spend an awfully long time making her pleas to Rawna. Once she'd gotten everything out, she only took a few more moments to breathe, and make sure she was ready to give Kaito a normal face when she turned around.

But oh, he wasn't quite where she'd left him? Worry creased her brow a bit as she strode over to his new spot. ]

Sorry--I didn't wanna make you wait.

[ With his, uh--? ]

--Is that--no, that's... not a cigarette?

[whenyouneedme]

[Kai turned towards her as she approached, an easy smile already there for her.]

No worries. Just figured you'd want to keep things between you and the big guy.

[He held up the candy as if it were a real cigarette, regarding it with an amused look. A bite was already taken out of it.]

It's not. Some cheeky dragons decided these were a nice Christmas gift. Can't really argue that they weren't.

[daikonrose]

I've never seen a grown man with one of those, but... somehow, it kinda suits you....

[whenyouneedme]

[He laughed.]

Does it? I've always been a little curious 'bout what they tasted like. Turns out they're kinda just chalk.

[daikonrose]

It tooootally fits your image.

[ She deadpanned lightly, moving to head for the entrance. ]

[whenyouneedme]

[What image was that even supposed to be?]

Yeah, yeah.

[He trailed after her, popping the rest of the candy in his mouth. That moment had come and gone, the placebo of holding it not doing much in motion. Cronch.]

[daikonrose]

[ The image of a guy who made himself out to be kind of a punk, but was actually made entirely of sugar, obviously.

Stepping out under the open night sky again, Kyoko paused, letting out a sigh into the quiet. ]

Ah... I really kept you out pretty late, huh? Sorry.

[whenyouneedme]

[He was stretching his arms out, bringing his hands to rest behind his head.]

Hm? Don't be. You made my walk a lot better.

[He'd thought maybe he just wanted a little solo time, but seemed like it really hadn't been the case. It had kind of been the same way last year too, and he'd ended up strolling his way to Rawna's... Kai threw a thoughtful glance over his shoulder at the dragon's temple, and then he turned to catch up to her side.]

Guess it is pretty late though... better get you home.

[daikonrose]

Better get you home.

[ It was the mildest bit of sass, thrown his way to test the waters more than anything. ]

Ah, I hope Shinji-san isn't pushing himself too hard and waiting up this late.

[whenyouneedme]

Us home, then.

[Both. Together.]

But... ah... I told him he didn't have to wait up, but... [What if he had anyway?? Ah. Ahh. Hm. Oh no.]

[daikonrose]

[ That was that, then. Kyoko let the subject go with a quiet hum of acquiescence. ]

He might have, you know? Ah, just think about it, your cute beau sitting patiently by the clock and trying not to nod off~

[whenyouneedme]

[If she wasn't going to make a fuss, then he was just going to gently steer them towards The Mallows.

He was also going to make a face because he couldn't help but actually think about the scenario and oh no. Cute. Oh no.]

That's too much. Go to bed, Shinji.